PRESS RELEASE
WDC – 29 – 2021
6 July 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Embassy of the Philippines, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) held a two-part webinar series on the US H2 Temporary Nonimmigrant Worker Visa Program primarily to address the concerns regarding the status of the Philippines in the H2 visa programs.
“ With the Philippines’ re-inclusion in the list of countries qualified to participate in the H2B or the non-agricultural seasonal work program and hopefully with the H2A or agricultural seasonal work program or the H2A program soon, the webinar aims to provide information in relation to H2 Programs – the laws governing the program; the rights and responsibilities not only of the workers but also the employers; and the issues concerning the program and most importantly to address issues of labor trafficking and overstay “, Atty Angela Librado-Trinidad , Labor Attache of POLO-WDC emphasized .
The webinar conducted last 28 May 2021 focused on the H2B Program while the H2A program was discussed last 04 June 2021. POLO-WDC through Librado-Trinidad discussed the verification and accreditation process of employers intending to hire Filipino workers under the H2 Program.
The resource speaker from the US DOL, Mr. Daniel Chapman, Senior Policy Advisor with the Division of Immigration, Farm Labor, and Trade, discussed the laws governing the H2B and H2A temporary nonimmigrant worker visa program, obligations of the employers and recruitment process of US workers and as well as the foreign workers. He further mentioned the US labor laws protecting the rights and welfare of the workers were presented such laws on wages, benefits and occupational safety.
“On behalf of Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, the Embassy is pleased by this initiative of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in partnership with US Department of Labor in ensuring the long-term listing of the Philippines in the H2 visa programs, hopefully with our re-inclusion soon for the H2A program. We hope that all the stakeholders will be able to use the knowledge and information that they take away from the discussions, in ensuring that the Philippines remains a viable and qualified partner of the United States under the H2 visa program,” Consul General Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga said in his closing statement. ###